subwoofermania
Big cover – in hi-fi circles this term is always used when it comes to super exclusive, super heavy, and usually space-consuming systems or device pairings. If there were a similar synonym in the pro-audio sector, the combination presented here would have deserved it. We are talking about the Genelec 1238A active studio monitors, supplemented by the Genelec 7380A Test Aktivmonitore Genelec 1238A. Installed for this test as a trio in the LowBeats test cinema in Worms, they stand for “very big cinema” in terms of sound.Test Aktivmonitore Genelec 1238A
That almost “smells” of superlatives – even absolutely justified. A total weight of almost 180 kilograms and a total volume of around 570 liters provide an impressive physical presence.
More than 3,100 square centimeters of active membrane surface alone in the bass range are ready to get plenty of air flowing. A total of around 2,700 watts of continuous amplifier power and an upper long-term level of more than 119 decibels (1 m distance) also promise a corresponding power word.
This spectacular trio has its price: Genelec is asking almost 18,000 euros for it.
You may like: Speaker Cables Guide
Of course, the (justified) question now arises as to why a separate subwoofer is necessary for such large-caliber monitors as the Genelec 1283A. The reason: together with the Genelec 7380, the music plays from a whopping 16 Hertz upwards.
The trio thus reaches down a whole octave lower than the two 1238s in a duet. And to create the appropriate level of stability in these areas, you can never actually provide enough membrane surface.
The Finnish trio is intended for use in medium-sized studio control rooms. The Genelec 1238A monitors allow both free-standing and flush-mounted operation (flush mount).
As can be seen in the pictures, the entire mid-high unit can also be rotated 90 degrees and inserted into the baffle. In this way, the 1238A can be operated both vertically and horizontally.
Your specified area of responsibility extends from sound recording to film and video post-production to sound carrier mastering.
Also read: Cabasse Rialto streaming speaker-test
Genelec 1238A active monitor – the technology
The Genelec 1283A active monitor is conceptually based on its successful predecessor, the 1038A. It has been in production since 1992 with only a few changes until 2015 – clear proof that you don’t have to reinvent something really good every year.
The 1238A adopted the 3-way acoustic concept of its predecessor almost unchanged. In terms of chassis equipment, this means: a hard-hung 38-centimeter bass is responsible for the low frequencies. The 15-inches is bass reflex tuned to a net housing volume of 110 liters.
In the midrange, on the other hand, a 13-centimeter chassis with a cone membrane and phase cone is used. The high frequencies are reproduced by a tweeter equipped with a 25-millimeter metal dome. All three drivers have magnetic shielding.
The visual appearance of the Genelec 1238A is decisively characterized by the short horn attachments (waveguides) in front of the midrange and tweeter system. Characteristic of all Genelec monitors, the “Directivity Control Waveguides” (DCW) ensure a defined radiation behavior in the horizontal and vertical plane.
This primarily serves to suppress sound reflections on the floor, ceiling, and walls and thus emphasize the direct sound component at the listening position. More direct sound means less room influence – which in turn allows more precise insights into the actual acoustic image of the recording.
Genelec designed the electronics block in the 1283A, called the Amplifier Unit, to be professional and practice-oriented. This is mounted in a recess on the back outside of the actual case.
Designed as a slot in the common 19-inch format, the amplifier unit can be installed in an external rack if the Genelec 1283A is installed flush with the wall. The chassis is then supplied via multi-pin speaker cables with Speakon fittings.
What is new about the Genelec 1238A compared to its predecessors: its amplifier unit does not have any adjustment controls at all. The complete setup is software-supported via the Genelec Loudspeaker Manager called GLM, which is described in detail in the Genelec 8331A LowBeats test.
Active subwoofer Genelec 7380A – the technology
Equipped with a stately 15-inch bass chassis, the 7380A is the second-largest model in the Genelec subwoofer range. It not only impresses with its generous dimensions but also with its unusual, rounded shape. As always with Genelec, there is a clever and of course patented idea behind it – here with the name “Laminar Spiral Enclosure” (LSE).
In terms of its mode of operation, the Genelec LSE is an extremely well-thought-out implementation of the bass reflex principle. With a bass reflex tunnel integrated into the housing in a spiral shape (see image below), LSE even kills two birds with one stone.
On the one hand, very long ducts containing relatively large air masses can be realized in this way. This ensures optimal impulse behavior even at very low tuning frequencies (20 Hz with the Genelec 7380A).
On the other hand, the streamlined channel allows the resonating air mass to move back and forth without turbulence. Bass reflex-typical ventilation noises are also not an issue.
How well LSE works has been shown in practice. In fact, throughout the listening phase, we assumed the Genelec 7380A was a sealed subwoofer.
Typical bass reflex artifacts such as flow noise or a boxy sound tending to the drone were completely alien to him.
Another highlight of the Genelec 7380A is its extremely opulent bass management. The basic equipment allows analog integration into 2.1 or 7.1 multi-channel systems or digitally according to the AES-3 standard in 2.1-channel systems. However, the Genelec 7380A can also be digitally connected to multi-channel systems using the 9301A extension set.
As a full member of the “Smart Active Monitor” (SAM) speaker family, the Genelec 7380A can also be configured via the GLM software and adapted to the monitors that are playing. Alternatively, the complete setup can also be carried out directly on the 7380A using the appropriate DIP switches.
Genelec 1238A and 7380A – the trio in the listening test
There are essentially three characteristics expected of a hi-fi speaker. First of all, of course, it has to “sound” convincingly – and that with any kind of music (whatever that may mean for its owner).
In addition, it should blend in as well as possible with the home environment – both visually and acoustically.
With a professional monitoring monitor, on the other hand, the emphasis is different. Its visual appearance is not in the foreground, while a reasonably good acoustic environment can be assumed in the recording studio anyway.
A listening experience that is as impressive as possible is also not in the specifications. Rather, what is heard should correspond as exactly as possible to the audio material to be processed – regardless of whether you are currently recording or making a master mix. The convincing musical experience then sets in all by itself.
That’s exactly what happened in the listening test with the Finnish trio, consisting of two Genelec 1238A plus a subwoofer Genelec 7380A. With all the required tonal neutrality and accurate spatial imaging, it was able to open up new tonal worlds.
Here it was first of all the absolute nonchalance with which the set was able to produce authentically “big” sound images even at high volumes. And that was by no means limited to their spatial expansion and three-dimensional staggering.
The trio also drew its acoustic persuasiveness from excellent, dynamic properties according to the motto: Not just loud, but also clean.
This can even be expressed in numbers: At a sound pressure level of 100 dB SPL, the dominant distortion factor (k3) is not greater than 2 percent, even at very low frequencies around 30 Hertz. Most hi-fi speakers can only dream of such values.
Expressed more tangibly with a musical example, it sounds like this: Never before have I heard the four ultra-low 27-hertz drumbeats in the intro of Human Range on Nils Frahm’s album All Melody so deeply descending and authentically swinging out – you have to hear it to hear it to believe.
Typical for loudspeakers that emphasize direct sound, the Genelec 1238A built the acoustic stage facing the listening position in front of the loudspeaker base.
However, this did not detract from their three-dimensional representation – with the difference that the spatial depth did not develop primarily behind the base, as is the case with many hi-fi loudspeakers.
Of course, such tuning also shapes the sound character, because the diffuse sound components from the room are less audible. The Genelec 1238A tends to sound more in the direction of dry, direct, and sharp contours than spacious, airy, and soft-focused.
For the hi-fi fan, this should be a matter of taste. Producers accustomed to studio monitors with wide-angle dome tweeters (such as the ME Geithain RL 901K ) may want to record with the Genelec 1238A farther from the mic than before to achieve a similar direct-diffuse sound balance.
Coupling a subwoofer with monitors that already have a strong bass range, such as the Genelec 1238A, allows a wide range of options for selecting the crossover frequency. After a few tries, we decided on 50 Hertz for the Genelec trio. The following YouTube video documents the sonic influence using two different cut-off frequencies of 85 and 50 Hz. (Binaural sound recording – please listen with headphones.)
Genelec 1238A and 7380A – Conclusion
The 2.1 combination Genelec 1238A plus subwoofer Genelec 7380A is a thoroughly professional solution for all tasks in the recording studio.
In terms of sound, it is undoubtedly also interesting for ambitious hi-fi users or home cinema fans. However, the trio should not be easy to integrate into normal living spaces, if only because of its stately dimensions.
With its integration into the “Smart Active Monitor” (SAM) family, the Genelec 1283A represents the logical further development of the proven studio standard 1038A and B.
The cumbersome setting of location adjustment filters can thus be dispensed with. Because this can now be done automatically and more precisely with the optionally available Genelec GLM kit.
The mighty Genelec 7830A subwoofer initially impresses with its ultra-deep and extremely clean bass reproduction. Also part of the SAM family, it can be integrated into an existing monitor setup via the GLM kit and optimally adjusted in terms of sound.
In addition, the Genelec 7380A has a wide range of analog and digital connection options. Since it already comes with extensive bass management, it can also be used independently in combination with monitors from other manufacturers.
Even if the Genelec 1238A monitors natively enable very good bass reproduction, the addition of the Genelec 7380 subwoofer is by no means exaggerated.
The combination reaches a whole octave lower in the bass range, which is very useful for critical music programs or unmasking low-frequency noise when recording. In addition, the extra membrane area and amplifier power create additional dynamic reserves in the bass range.
Specifications
- Driver Configuration:
- Woofer: 12-inch (300 mm) high-excursion woofer.
- Midrange: 5-inch (130 mm) midrange driver.
- Tweeter: 1-inch (25 mm) metal dome tweeter.
- Power Output:
- Total RMS Power: 400W (250W for the woofer, 100W for the midrange, 50W for the tweeter).
- Frequency Response:
- 34 Hz to 40 kHz, providing a wide and detailed frequency range.
- Connectivity:
- Balanced XLR inputs for line-level audio.
- Optional digital inputs (AES/EBU) for digital audio sources.
- Room Acoustic Controls:
- Integrated controls for adjusting the frequency response to suit various acoustic environments.
- Enclosure:
- Rigid, die-cast aluminum enclosure designed to minimize resonance and enhance durability.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 28.6 inches (727 mm).
- Width: 18.4 inches (467 mm).
- Depth: 16.4 inches (416 mm).
- Weight:
- Approximately 80 lbs (36.3 kg).
- Additional Features:
- Intelligent Signal Sensing: Automatically enters standby mode to save power.
- Low Distortion: Designed for minimal distortion across the frequency range.
- Iso-Pod Mount: Included for optimal speaker placement and isolation from surfaces.
FQAs for Test Aktivmonitore Genelec 1238A + Subwoofer 7380A – Trio Grande
. Q1: What type of studio is the Genelec 1238A designed for?
- A1: The Genelec 1238A is designed for professional studios, specifically for those working in music production, post-production, and mastering. It provides precise and powerful sound suited to high-end studio environments.
Q2: What are the primary features of the Genelec 1238A monitor?
- A2: The Genelec 1238A is a 15-inch, 3-way active monitor with a 2.5 kHz DSP crossover and AutoCal room calibration via Genelec’s GLM software. This allows it to adapt to various studio acoustics, delivering balanced, accurate sound.
Q3: How does the Genelec 7380A subwoofer complement the 1238A?
- A3: The 7380A subwoofer pairs seamlessly with the 1238A, providing extended low-frequency response down to 15 Hz, critical for detailed bass monitoring in larger studio spaces. Together, they handle high SPLs without distortion, ideal for professional mixing and mastering.
Q4: What is Genelec’s GLM software, and how does it benefit users?
- A4: GLM (Genelec Loudspeaker Manager) software offers AutoCal calibration, allowing users to fine-tune both the 1238A monitors and the 7380A subwoofer based on the room’s acoustic characteristics. This results in a more precise and neutral audio profile tailored to the specific environment.
Q5: How does the audio quality of the Genelec 1238A + 7380A setup stand out?
- A5: The 1238A and 7380A deliver impeccable clarity, precision, and depth, with a broad, immersive soundstage. The trio excels in accuracy, revealing minute details across frequencies while maintaining a smooth, natural response in the bass, mid, and treble ranges.
Q6: Who would benefit most from using the Genelec 1238A with the 7380A subwoofer?
- A6: High-end music producers, engineers, and sound designers who require uncolored, accurate sound and detailed low-end reproduction would benefit significantly from this setup. It is ideal for critical listening and mixing in professional studio settings.
Q7: What are the downsides, if any, of the Genelec 1238A + 7380A combination?
A7: The main consideration is the high cost, which reflects its pro-level design and performance capabilities. The setup may also be overkill for smaller or less-treated studio spaces due to its power and size
